Sacred Heart Cathedral 🇹🇭

If you are exploring Chiang Mai, Thailand, and want to experience a unique piece of the city's Catholic heritage, you should plan a visit to the Sacred Heart Cathedral. Also known as Chiang Mai Cathedral (or in Thai as อาสนวิหารพระหฤทัย), this Catholic church serves as the principal place of worship for the Diocese of Chiang Mai and actively follows the Roman or Latin rite. When you visit, you will be standing on grounds rich with modern religious history.

The original church dedicated to the Sacred Heart was built right here in 1931. As the local community grew, a larger church was later inaugurated in February 1965, coinciding with Pope Paul VI creating the Diocese of Chiang Mai through his papal bull "Qui in fastigio". The impressive present church building you see today represents the third structure to serve as the cathedral of the diocese, officially inaugurated on October 30, 1999.

As you explore the site, you will notice that the central church building is peacefully surrounded by educational facilities. Both the Sacred Heart School and an adjacent kindergarten encircle the cathedral, having been added to the complex back in 1932. Visiting this location gives you a distinct perspective on the history of the Diocese of Chiang Mai.

What to see at Sacred Heart Cathedral

• Third and present cathedral structure inaugurated in October 1999
• Historical site of the original 1931 Sacred Heart church
• Principal church of the Diocese of Chiang Mai created by Pope Paul VI
• Surrounding grounds featuring a school and kindergarten added in 1932

Visiting tips

Remember that the cathedral shares its grounds with an active school and kindergarten established in 1932.

How long: 1 hour · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Sacred Heart Cathedral is easy to reach on Chiang Mai’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Chiang Mai Zoo and Ban Ho Mosque. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Chiang Mai travel guide.